Signal for automobiles



Aug. 30, 1938. Q FINNELL 2,128,769

SIGNAL FOR AUTOMOBILES Filed March 30, 1936 sx x 27 5 INVENTOR.

LLOYD O. F/NNE'LL ATTORNEY.

Patented Aug. 30, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 1 Claim.

This invention relates to a signal device for vehicles and more particularly to automobiles and trucks to give automatically, a visual indication of the intentions of the driver.

The object of my invention is to provide a signal device with a plurality of signal lights, incorporating the accepted colors of red for a stop, green for normal driving and amber for caution indicating a slowing down of the speed of the vehicle.

A further object is to so connect the switches, that in the operation of the vehicle, the driver in controlling his car will automatically operate the switches to set up the proper circuit to indicate whether he is continuing under his present speed, or slowing down, or about to stop.

My invention will be further readily understood from the following description and claim, and from'the drawing, in which latter:

The drawing shows a diagrammatical view of the electrical apparatus and the operating means for the same. 7

The automobile battery II is grounded as at l2, and is connected to the ignition switch II! as by a lead l4. Each of the brake, clutch and accelerator pedals have switches operable through their movement and such switches are indicated at l5 for the brake, at l6 for the clutch and at I! for the accelerator. A lead l8 connects the ignition switch l3 with the brake operated switch I5, and one of the terminals H! of this switch is connected to the clutch operated switch l6 by a lead 20. One of the terminals 2| of the clutch operated switch It is connected to the accelerator operated switch l1 by a lead 22. One of the terminals 23 of the accelerator switch I1 is connected by a lead 24 to the other terminal 25 of the clutch operated switch. Also connected to the terminal 25 is a lead 26 to the amber light 21 which is grounded as at 28. The other terminal 29 of the switch l5 has a lead 30 connecting with a red light 3| which is also grounded as at 32. The other terminal 33 of the accelerator operated switch l1 has a lead 34 connecting to a green light 35 which is also grounded as at 36.

In the usual operation of a motor vehicle, the clutch is operated by the left foot, with the brake and accelerator operated by the right foot of the driver. With my improved arrangement, the switches are held in the position shown in the drawing by springs 31. Thus when the ignition switch I3 is closed, the current will pass from the battery ll through line I4, switch l3, lead l8, to switch 15, terminal l9, lead 20, switch l6,

terminal 2|, lead 22, switch l1, terminal 23, lead 24, terminal 25, lead 26, to the amber light 21. This light will remain on until the car is put in motion and the accelerator is depressed, whereupon the switch will be operated to contact the terminal 33, thus setting up a circuit through I4, l3, l8, l5, l9, 2|), l6, 2|, 22, I1, 33, 34 to the green light 35, which automatically breaks the circuit to the light 21, by breaking the contact with terminal 23. Thus while the car is continuing under normal conditions with the accelerator depressed the green or go light will be illuminated.

When it is desired to stop and the foot is removed from the accelerator, the amber light will immediate show as its circuit is closed by the switch l1 assuming its normal position contacting the terminal 23.

Pressure on the clutch pedal will also close a circuit to the amber light through ll, |4, |3, l8, |5, I9, 20, I6, 25, 26 to light 21.

Pressure on the brake pedal regardless of the position of the accelerator or clutch pedals will close the circuit to the stop light 3|, which is red. Thus the current will flow through I4, l3, l8, I5, 29, 30 to stop light 3| and the ground of the battery and lamp will complete the circuit. When the ignition switch is turned off, the entire device is out of operation.

From the foregoing, it will be apparent that I have devised a simple, novel signal device which is entirely automatic in its operation and the driver of the vehicle through the usual operation of such vehicle will warn others on the road of his intentions to change his relative position on the roadway. The signal lamp housing can be mounted on the rear of the car or on both the rear and front if desired.

While I have shown one embodiment of my invention, it should be understood that various changes may be made without departing from the scope of the appended claim, such as employing various types of well known switches.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

In a signal device, the combination with a foot accelerator pedal, a clutch pedal and a brake pedal, a two position switch operable by each pedal and consisting of a movable blade actuated by its respective foot pedal and having two stationary terminals, a source of electrical current, an electric connection between said source and said switch operated by said brake pedal, a switch in said electrical connection, an electrical connection between one of the terminals of said brake switch and the blade oi said clutch switch, one minal of said brake switch having an electrical oi the terminnle'oi' said clutch switch being elecconnection with a. second light for illuminating a tricnliy connected to the blade or said accelerator "stop signal, the other terminal of said acceleras switch, one oi the'terminals 01 said accelerator tor switch having an electrical connection with switch being electrically connected to the other a third light for illuminating a. "go" signal and terminal of acid clutch switch. on electrical conall of said signal lights having a common return nection from said inst named terminal to a light to said source.

tor illumlnnting a "slow signal, the other ter- LLOYD O. FINNELL 

